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https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123275434952911591

Plugged In

It's Not Just the Economy

By

Mark Veverka

Updated Jan. 26, 2009 11:59 p.m. ET

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MICROSOFT AND LAYOFFS GO TOGETHER LIKE OIL AND WATER. The company's surprise announcement last week that it would initiate layoffs for the first time in its 34-year history is bitter medicine for the tech industry, especially for those being pink-slipped. Job security was certainly the least of their concerns when they joined the software giant.

"We are not used to down markets," Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told analysts in a conference call. Microsoft reported earnings that missed analyst expectations. Shares...

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